Associate, Investments

at  John Laing Group

JOHN LAING GROUP

John Laing is a leading international investor in core infrastructure projects and businesses. We are a long-term and responsible investor with a strategy focused on developing and delivering core infrastructure in OECD countries.

Our business is focused on two investment areas:

• PPP & Projects (Greenfield development): developing and delivering PPP and other concession-based projects, as well as similar core infrastructure projects; and
• Mid-market Infrastructure M&A: investing in core mid-market infrastructure operational assets and businesses.

We invest across a broad range of sectors, including transportation, energy and utilities, telecommunications, and social infrastructure.
John Laing has an experienced team of investors and asset managers operating across offices covering the UK & Europe, North America, Australia, and Colombia having closed on landmark transactions in those jurisdictions.
John Laing currently manages a diversified portfolio of over 30 investments with assets under management of over £2 billion.
Previously listed on the London Stock Exchange and a member of the FTSE250, John Laing was taken private in 2021 by KKR’s Diversified Core Infrastructure Fund (DCIF). Under DCIF ownership, John Laing operates as a standalone business with its own team and capabilities.
DCIF is an open-ended fund that was launched in 2020, with investors that include large pension funds, insurance companies and sovereign wealth funds.

IDEAL EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES

• Educated to Bachelor’s degree level or equivalent qualification with an outstanding academic record.
• 4-7 years of previous experience within infrastructure and/or energy sectors including in either investment banking, principal investing, project finance, private equity, project development or valuations.
• Advanced financial modelling skills are a must, ideally with experience in project finance models.
• Strong interpersonal skills – credible in dealing with clients and partners.
• Strong written and verbal communication – report writing and presentation skills are critical.
• Proven critical problem-solving skills and the ability to implement the solution.
• Able to work independently and collaborate within and across globally distributed teams.
• Commitment to ongoing learning and development.

HIGHLY BENEFICIAL EXPERIENCE

• Exposure to PPPs is beneficial but not essential.
• Transactional experience – i.e. experience contributing to the negotiation, execution and closure of investments in infrastructure or energy.

CHARACTERISTICS AND LEADERSHIP CAPABILITIES

• A results-orientation, action bias, and a performance mindset will all be key.
• Ability to work under pressure and to deadlines.
• Effective communication skills.
• Focused, pragmatic with strong attention to detail.
• Pro-active, energetic, inclusive and the ability to build effective relationships with stakeholders.
• Intellectual curiosity.
• Values-driven behaviors, with high integrity and transparency.

MORE ABOUT US

We are an equal opportunities employer. At John Laing, we value the unique skills, experiences and backgrounds of every employee, and have a wide range of D&I initiatives across the organization. We make recruiting decisions based on your experience and skills. We welcome applications from all members of society irrespective of age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion, or belief.
Personal Data: John Laing retains applicants’ personal data solely for the purpose of reviewing and evaluating applications and contacting candidates to discuss job opportunities. For further details on our Data Privacy Policy, please contact our Human Resources Department

THE ROLE AND OPPORTUNITY

In this role, the Associate will work as part of the Investments team in Australia, contributing to the growth of the business by taking a leading transactional role in the bidding, structuring, financial close and asset management of our investments. There will be an opportunity to work on investment opportunities in the region and also to support investment teams in other John Laing markets.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supporting the Investment team in the origination, assessment, structuring and investment in core infrastructure projects and businesses.
• Taking primary responsibility for financial modelling and investment analysis of investment opportunities, including evaluating performance under various operating scenarios and impact of different capital structures.
• Taking ownership and accountability for arranging and structuring debt, conducting due diligence, market and industry research, and preparing materials to support our internal investment approval process.
• Contributing to various stages in transaction execution, including origination, diligence, and execution of equity, debt, and M&A transactions.
• Contribute to the preparation of the necessary Investment Committee and Board papers.
• Engaging professionally with our counterparties, partners and advisers, such as government clients, industrial partners, co-investors, debt funders and financial and due diligence advisors.
• Contribute to negotiations with counterparties and with co-investors.
• Contribute to the half year and year end valuation process including detailed financial modelling for a portfolio of projects, review of macro assumptions and presentation of outputs to the Portfolio Review and Valuation Committee.
• Keep up to date with current market trends, including any established market practices and/or published guidance.
• Develop internal networks with the various John Laing teams in Australia and globally and also with external stakeholders.